Sheridan County: Sandhills, Lakes and History

In Sheridan County, vast Sandhills landscapes meet lakes, trails and places with a layered history. You can shape your stay around wildlife watching, outdoor activities or historical collections. The landscape itself also tells the story of the region: large rock formations and limestone bluffs lie among ponderosa pine forests in the northern and central parts of the county.

Landscape, Water and Wildlife

Highway 250 follows a scenic route through the Sandhills from Lakeside to Rushville and onward toward Pine Ridge Country. The route offers a sense of the different landscapes; rock formations, limestone bluffs and pine forests remain defining features of northern and central Sheridan County. The Niobrara River is the county’s principal waterway.

Walgren Lake is an especially good place to watch birds and other wildlife. Deer, doves, elk, grouse, squirrels and turkeys are among the wildlife commonly found in the Metcalf Wildlife Management Area. Those interested in hunting can hunt waterfowl, rabbits, doves and pheasants at Walgren Lake. Check current regulations before your visit.

Walgren Lake State Recreation Area has 40 basic campsites beneath shade-providing cottonwoods. Smith Lake offers a different range of visitor amenities: a concrete boat ramp, a dock, a basic campground and a picnic area. Fishing is possible there in both summer and winter. The two lakes can therefore be distinguished not only as nature destinations, but also by the activities available at each.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail is suitable for walking, biking, running and horseback riding. It offers several ways to spend time outdoors without limiting you to a single activity. The Cowboy Trail follows the route of the former Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. In Sheridan County, a completed 16-mile section runs between Gordon and Rushville.

The lakes also offer different experiences: Walgren Lake is especially good for watching birds and other wildlife, while Smith Lake has facilities for boating, camping and picnicking, as well as fishing. If you plan your days around the seasons, fishing at Smith Lake is an option in both summer and winter.

Museums, Buildings and Events

In Gordon, the Scamahorn Museum is housed in the town’s oldest building. It originally served as a Methodist church and was dedicated in 1884. The collection includes quilts, household items, early 20th-century clothing, military uniforms, and art and artifacts of Indigenous peoples of North America. The building thus connects its former use with a collection that explores different aspects of everyday life and history.

The Tri-State Old Time Cowboys Memorial Museum is housed in a 40-by-80-foot wooden building built in 1969. Exhibits include artifacts from ranching and more than 200 cattle brands. Public events are part of the museum’s program throughout the year. These include an Old Timers Picnic with Western music, cowboy poetry and stories. Check event dates before visiting.

The Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo in Gordon also offers several different events: a parade on Main Street, an Old Time Cowboy Breakfast and a Buyer Bonanza. Since specific dates are important for planning your trip, it’s a good idea to check the event calendar in advance.

Traces of Regional History

The Spotted Tail Agency was established in 1874 to distribute treaty provisions under the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. These included food, clothing, weapons and household items. The agency is also associated with an event in 1877: Crazy Horse surrendered there on September 4, after fleeing the Red Cloud Agency.

The Spade Ranch offers another glimpse into the history of ranching. Its headquarters is listed as a site on the National Register of Historic Places. In Ellsworth are the business offices built around 1890 and the rancher Bartlett Richards’s residence, built in 1902. Richards (1862–1911) was originally from Vermont. Around 1900, the ranch’s grazing range covered approximately 500,000 acres, primarily in the particularly rugged Sandhills of Sheridan and Cherry counties. Its approximate scale and wide geographic reach give a sense of the ranching industry’s dimensions at the time.

Individual buildings also preserve specific details of their use: Gourley’s Opera House was built by Dave Gourley in 1914, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and still has its original theater seats. Mari Sandoz was born in Sheridan County, Nebraska, and is buried there in her own western homeland. These connections complement the landscape and museum experiences with personal and architectural perspectives on the county’s history.

Discover more destinations: Bingham, Dakota County, Adams County, Garfield County, Dawes County, Saunders County, Scotts Bluff County, Richardson County.

For the broader travel overview: Nebraska.